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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
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Analysis of Apoptosis in Zebrafish Embryos by Whole-mount Immunofluorescence to Detect Activated Caspase 3
Published on: December 20, 2013
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Conserved function of Pacific cod Caspase-3 in apoptosis.
Jie Gu1, Ai-Jun Zhan2, Jie-Lan Jiang1
1Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Applied Biology and Aquaculture in North China, Liaoning Province, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
Gene
|January 20, 2020
Summary
Pacific cod Caspase-3 (GmCasp3) functions in apoptosis, similar to other animals. Phylogenetic analysis places GmCasp3 at a lower evolutionary position within vertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Cellular immunology
- Molecular biology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Apoptosis is crucial for immune responses against viral infections.
- Caspase-3 is a key mediator of apoptosis across species.
- The role of Caspase-3 in cod fish immunity is largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of Pacific cod Caspase-3 (GmCasp3) in apoptosis.
- To determine the evolutionary placement of GmCasp3 within vertebrate evolution.
Main Methods:
- cDNA sequencing and analysis of GmCasp3.
- Phylogenetic tree construction.
- GmCasp3 protein expression in EPC cell lines and flow cytometry analysis.
Main Results:
- GmCasp3 cDNA codes for a 287-amino acid protein with conserved active sites.
- Phylogenetic analysis shows GmCasp3 clusters with Atlantic cod caspase-3, distant from higher vertebrates.
- GmCasp3 protein localized to apoptotic debris, enzyme activity increased post-transfection, and DNA fragmentation was observed.
Conclusions:
- Pacific cod Caspase-3 exhibits conserved functions in apoptosis.
- GmCasp3's evolutionary position suggests a lower placement in vertebrate evolution.
- Cod fish share similar apoptotic mechanisms with other animal species.
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